My home storm shelter (pic heavy)

[Koa]

This storm shelter was built by the previous owner. With all of the recent tornado activity in the Midwest I can't help but get motivated to get it up to par. I had basic supplies in there before, enough for a few days at best but with the search and rescue operations still going on in Joplin Missouri that just might not be enough if we are trapped inside. I am preparing for 1 week minimum inside the shelter. Even with the supplies there is enough floor space to sleep 3 adults, more if necessary with some juggling of supplies.

About the shelter:
Dimensions- 8x8 ft.
Walls- 8 inch reinforced concrete (this is underground, 2 walls are earth contact)
Roof- about 6 inches concrete
Door- Old elevator door on a heavy duty steel track (securable)
Electricity- yes

Outside:


Inside Roof:


Outside Roof:


Inside:








Supplies:
State map (to track storms)
8 cases bottled water
Food
Batteries (D, AA, AAA)
2 LED lanterns
2 fluorescent lanters
3 D cell maglite
Books
Diapers
Formula
Bassinet
36" wrecking bar
Axe
2 Remington 870 shotguns
whistle
2- 5 gallon buckets
Kitty litter
AM/FM/weather radio
3 sleeping bags
3 foam sleeping pads
Trash bags
Foam mats
Metal bowls
Metal cups
Paper towels
TP
Tissues
N95 masks
Vinyl gloves
Medical bag
Extra clothing
Boots
Cot
Gorilla tape

Hygiene kit:
Soap
Deodorant
Towels
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Baby wipes
Can opener
Eating utensils

Tool kit:
2 FRS radios
2 work gloves
Screwdrivers
Wrench
Hammer
BK7
SRK
DMT diafold sharpener
Writing paper
Pen/pencil
C-clamp
3 mini mag lites
LED mini mag
Extra bulbs

Shelter/fire kit:
5oo strike anywhere matches
2 lighters
Tea candles
Soda can stove
Mylar blanket
Casualty blanket
2 ponchos
Mosquito netting

Firearms box:
12 ga. cleaning kit
00 Buck
#8 shot
Ear plugs
Trigger locks

Suggestions are welcome from anyone who has experience.

[cycledawg]

OMG Dude that is a beautiful setup, I am so jealous!

[cga]

Hopefully you will never need to use it. Great insurance though. Thanks for sharing.

[UmaineGreg]

...some games, books, and puzzles. Poker or chess could literally save your sanity if you do end up trapped in there for a week, and it could also save someones life from another person getting cabin fever and playing elmer fudd! Other than that, to maximize your floor space, I would add some anchor set shelves to those walls to take up some of that upper open wall space I see. That would allow you more space for supplies or another person.

[UmaineGreg]

Another thing to add...A VENT!!!!!!!!! Dying trapped in a concrete box after a tornado because I couldn't ventilate and get fresh O2 would seriously p!ss me off if I was in that situation!

[cleatis]

Way to go. Make room and add more water. Now this is just My opinion, you need to have so much water that you say man, i got too much water. But hey, nice work.

[SCALPHUNTER]

Nice setup. Organized, efficient, and well thought out.

[Hold-on]

Put in some bunks. Design them to use the ends as shelving. You should be able to gain more space and you will add a level of comfort by having actual mattresses.

Get a toilet seat to work with your buckets and trash bags for your latrine. Get a shower curtain or blanket set up for privacy while going to the bathroom.

[Marlin240]

Very nice set up you have there,looks like you are well on your way to surviving a bad storm.

[Koa]

Great ideas folks.

-I thought about the bunks and shelving but haven't gotten it done
-games/cards: totally forgot that
-bucket toilet seat: need to get one
-curtain: fantastic idea!
-ventilation: I can remove the door if necessary, I was thinking even if we can't get out of that area due to debris we'd at least have some ventilation (could be wrong though)

[SSGNasty]

Thanks for the pics, great job.
________________
"FIRE IN THE HOLE"

[Paranoia]

Where's your restroom?

[norcalmom]

That is a great set up! I suggest a few blankets for the kids (I saw diapers) and a little bin with some toys. You can store the blankets in space bags and it saves alot of room. If you put a new dryer sheet in the space bag before you seal it up, it keeps everything smelling nice in long term storage. Great job!

[alaska_freedom]

Originally Posted by UmaineGreg

...some games, books, and puzzles. Poker or chess could literally save your sanity if you do end up trapped in there for a week, and it could also save someones life from another person getting cabin fever and playing elmer fudd! Other than that, to maximize your floor space, I would add some anchor set shelves to those walls to take up some of that upper open wall space I see. That would allow you more space for supplies or another person.

Jacks, pick-up sticks and note book paper w/ pens,pencils and crayons. Even if you have no kids, boredom is a killer so use your mind and be creative.

[Ladysurvivalist]

Looks great. Your wife should have some feminine products stashed in their too. Yes, make sure you add some board games in there. Since you've got the time, I would also add in some pillows and put them in the space saver bag that norcalmom mentioned. I bought a camping flushing toilet from WalMart for $77 - might want to think about that since Christchurch, NZ was desperate, for the initial few weeks after their earthquake, to have the port-a-potties brought in.

[Hawkeye Alex]

Great Job, Now get yourself an AM/FM radio with the weather channel and weather Alert Station, about $17 Bucks at WAL-MART.

[cavedweller]

Originally Posted by Koa

Even with the supplies there is enough floor space to sleep 3 adults, more if necessary with some juggling of supplies.

Should there be a nasty storm, where the house is destroyed, I could see a fair amount of water in the basement. I'd also suggest getting racks built that can double as bunk beds. That way you could get off the floor if there is issues with water/flooding. Another idea could be anchors in the walls to support a couple hammocks.

[happie2shoot]

Bible and other books

[arleigh]

I saw toilet paper ,where's the toilet ?
Porta potti works good but after a week it is going to get full, what then ??
Other wise, good shelter .

I'd toss in some books and things to do as well .
Don't know if it was mentioned but LED lighting uses a fraction of the energy every thing else does , some units are available run on 6 volts /4AA batteries
I use trojan 6 volt batteries in series for 12 volts very effecient and charge better than standard 12 volt car or big truck batteries.
If I need 18volts I series 3- 6s vola now I can run the laptop with out the inverter=the least amount of loss.
Because that could turn into a perminant home if the house is hit , I would have solar pannels that could be easily installed on the roof w/solid mounts to have continious power with out using a generator . Save the gene for serious things like the frig /freezer, or tools for rebuilding .
Good luck .
If you can afoard it ,Harbor freight has some cameras ,$29. & $39. and a car DVD player that has audio video in puts .
Then you can view what is going on out side before ,during and after the storm .

I might set up a para scope putting the camera in a steel pipe ,make it look like a vent ,or it can be a vent for that matter, something capable of standing up to the beating . If the pipe can be rotated all the better.

I have been using them for years and they have a good field of view, even sound .

[NCEagle04]

Does anybody you know who lives out of town (and out of the line of a tornado if it hits you) know that you have this? You don't want to be trapped under a pile of rubble in a storm shelter just to find out that nobody knows you are there and can't rescue you.